King James Version
Isaiah 21:11 in the King James Version says “The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?” — study this verse from Isaiah chapter 21 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?”
Isaiah 21:11 · KJV
And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods he hath broken unto the ground.
O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you. corn: Heb. son
The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
The burden upon Arabia. In the forest in Arabia shall ye lodge, O ye travelling companies of Dedanim.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“The burden”
H4853a burden; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly a doom, especially singing; mental, desire
“He calleth”
H7121to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
“to me out of Seir”
H8165seir, a mountain of idumaea and its indigenous occupants, also one in palestine
“Watchman”
H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
“what of the night”
H3915properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
“Watchman”
H8104properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
“what of the night”
H3915properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
This verse is found in the book of Isaiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Isaiah 21:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Verses related to Isaiah 21:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge